Heel



Feb. 2, 1943. MAR|AN|v 2,309,776

HEEL

- Filed Aug. 25, 1941 INVENTOB flzal fIJ ihlfld ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEEL Paul Mariam, New York, N. Y.

Application August 25, 1941, Serial No. 408,234 8 Claims. (01. 36 34) This invention relates to shoes and more particularly refers to improvements in heels for womens shoes, slippers, and pumps, of a fancy or decorative character.

In another application for patent, entitled Shoe heel, Serial No. 343,462, filed July 1, 1940, now pending, I have described and claimed a heel of special construction comprising a frame and an ornamental shell, made of preferably transparent material, secured to said frame by means of screws.

The frame described in said application comprises a C-shaped structure formed by a sole plate, a base plate, and a front wall extending therebetween, and an upright rearwardly spaced from said wall extending between the sole and base plates, serving as a reinforcing member for the C-shaped structure.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide, in a heel of the character specified, a frame of a novel and improved design, presenting a lighter and more attractive appearance than the frame previously described.

Another object is to provide a heel comprising an open-Work frame and a shell embracing said frame, in which novel and attractive means are used for securing said shell to said frame.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a heel embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section thereof;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through line 33 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the frame used in the heel of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a shell forming part of the heel shown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a bottom plate adapted to retain the lower end of the shell in position, as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a view in elevation, partly sectioned,- illustrating the method of mounting the shell on the frame; and

Fig. 8 is a side view in elevation of a frame, such as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7, illustrating an alternative design.

Referring to Figs. 1 to '7, l0 designates a heel comprising a frame I I and an outer shell [2'' encircling the sides and rear end of said frame. The frame, which may be made of light metal alloy or of any other suitable material, comprises a sole plate l3, a base plate 14, and a front wall l5, extending therebetween, forming with the sole plate and the base plate a C-shaped structure having an upwardly inclined upper leg, preferably extending at the front beyond the front wall to form a lip extension lfi. 1

The lower portion of the edge of the sole plate I3 back of the front wall is rabbeted to form a peripheral abutment l1, and the upper portion of the edge of the base plate I l is similarly rabbeted te ro'r'man abutment l8. Each of the side edges of the frent wall is similarly rabbeted to form an abutment, such as shown at I9 and. i9, forming a continuation or and connection-between abutm'nt's 11, I8.

The resulting structure is completed by a central relatively lightrib 20, rearwardly extending from the front wall providing a graceful support for the base plate" while making it possible for the resulting frame to be both light and strong.

Fastening member 2| is in the form of a lug or tongue extending a short distance downwardly from the rear end of the sole plate l3, so as to leave a clearance between it and the rear end of abutment IT. The bottom retaining member 22 is ferrhed integral with and extends upwardly from the rear end of a plate 23 registering with and resting against the lower surface of base plate I4, said plate 23 also preferably having a lug 24 upwardly extending from its front edge25.

As Fig. 7 clearly shows, the shell l2 maybe mounted in position by slipping-the central portion of its upper edge within the clearance space intervening between lug or tongue 2| and abutment [1, then using thep'art thus inserted as a fuleruni the shell may be bodily tilted in position where its edges will rest against abutments 11,18, wand 19'. a

Plate 23 is then placed in position against the lower surface of base plate l4, a lift 26 is placed against plate 23 and both are retained in position by means of screws 21 passing through cor responding perforations 28, 29, provided in plate 23 and lift 26, respectively. p

In order to avoid irregularities or lack of continuity in the surfaces of the assembled structune, I prefer to provide the shell with atop reces's or depression 30 and a bottom recess or depression 3!, adapted to register with and re ceive lugs or tongues 2|, 22, respectively.

In a similar manner I prefer to provide the lower end of the frent wall I5 with a recess or depression 32,- ad-ap'ted to receive lug or tongue 24 of plate 23.

In this manner I achieve a very effective and unobstrusive mounting of the shell, unmarred by screws or other fastening means likely to become loose or to unfavorably affect the appearance of the heel, or both.

It will be understood that the shell will already of itself tend to remain in position due to the fact that its front edges are directed inwardly and firmly press against abutments l9, l9, registering therewith, due to the natural elasticity of the material employed. Therefore, undue strain is not likely to be imposed upon lugs 2|, 22.

Due to its graceful appearance the frame described can also be used without the shell and in such case the frame can preferably be made of a molded plastic and the recesses or depressions provided for the receiving portions of the upper and lower fastening members may be omitted.

In Fig. 8, I show a frame 33 in every way similar to that shown in Figs. 2, 4 and '7, except that said frame 33 is of a lighter construction and appearance, said frame being formed with a. rib 20 which only extends between the front wall and the sole plate instead of extending all the way down to the base plate.

Although, as stated, I prefer to make the shell of transparent material, the general construction of heel described is also applicable in connection with shells made of non-transparent materials, the result still offering possibilities for the use of plastics and other attractive materials and offering the advantage over an ordinary heel of the possibility of replacing a soiled or otherwise damaged shell with a new one, restoring the distinguished appearance of the shoe at very low cost, or of replacing a shell of one color with a shell of a different color.

The constructional details of my invention may vary from those shown without departing from the inventive idea. The drawing should, therefore, be understood as being intended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense.

I, accordingly reserve the right to carry my invention into practice in all those ways and manners which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, said portions each having a rabbeted edge forming a U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U-shaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retainin said shell in position.

2. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open fram with said two portions, and a reinforcing rib rearwardly extending from said front wall supporting the underside of said sole portion, said portions each having a rabbeted edge forming a U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U- shaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position.

3. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, said portions each having a rabbeted edge forming a U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U-shaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position, said retaining means comprising a lug downwardly extending from the rear of said sole portion, and a lug upwardly extending at the rear of said base portion.

4. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, said portions each having a rabbeted edge forming a, U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U-shaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position, said retaining means comprising a lug downwardly extending from the rear of said sole portion, and a lug upwardly extending at the rear of said base portion, said shell having notches adapted to register with and receive said lugs.

5. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, said portions each havin a rabbeted edge forming a U'-shaped abutment; at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U-shaped abutments, a shell having a. substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position, said retaining means comprising a lug downwardly extending from the rear of said sole portion, and a plate abutting against said base portion, having a lug upwardly extending from the rear thereof.

6. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, said portions each having a rabbeted edge forming a U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U-shaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position, said retainin means comprising a lug downwardly extending from the rear of said sole portion, and a plate abutting against said base portion, having a lug upwardly extendingfrom the rear thereof, said shell having notches adapted to register with and receive said lugs.

7. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, and a reinforcing rib rearwardl y extending from said front wall supporting the underside of said sole portion, said portions each having a rabbeted edge formin a U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said Ushaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position, said retaining means comprising a lug downwardly extending from the rear of said sole portion, and 2. lug upwardly extending at the rear of said base portion, said shell having notches adapted to register with and receive said lugs.

8. In a heel of the character described, a frame having a base portion, a sole portion, a front wall extending therebetween, forming a rearwardly open frame with said two portions, and a reinforcing rib rearwardly extending from said front wall supporting the underside of said sole portion, said portions each having a rabbeted edge forming a U-shaped abutment at the inner side thereof, said front Wall having rabbeted edges forming side abutments connecting said U- shaped abutments, a shell having a substantially U-shaped section, insertable between said two portions with its edge portions registering with and resting against said abutments, and means for retaining said shell in position, said retaining means comprising a lug downwardly extending from the rear of said sole portion, and a plate abutting against said base portion, having a lug upwardly extending from the rear thereof, said shell having notches adapted to register with and receive said lugs.

PAUL MARIANI. 

